As title looking for some advice as to the potential issue with my disco 3 56 plate TDV6
Yesterday when the wife was travelling to Aberdeen 30 Mile trip, about 20 miles in the dash lit up and suspension lowered transmission failure, parking brake failure etc. Pulled in stopped and restarted car and all was back to normal. But on the way home about 15 miles in, the car did the same but would not go above 20mph before the dash lit up again and she would have to reset it all.
To give you a bit of background, around 4 months ago i noticed that if the car was left for a few days it would be a bit of a struggle to start as if the battery was on its way out. Had it tested and battery was said to be fine. A few weeks after this the dashboard lit up and did the same as what happened yesterday, reset everything and all was good, happened a few days later again so decided to replace the battery and it hadn't happened again until yesterday.
Car was recovered and later that day my wife went out again to the local shops and all was fine, grrrr!
One thing i have noticed is that the battery voltage when running at highest is around 14.1 Volts according to the GAP tool, and lately is down at about 13.8 Volts. Which to me seems a bit low.
Only other things i have done recently is replace the sleeve on the mechatronic connector on auto box and a full brake overhaul. but has ran fine for around 5-600 miles since then.
My feeling is that it may be the alternator failing and replacing the battery a few months back only masked the issue.
Any advice or things to check once i'm home would be greatly appreciated
Unfortunately i'm offshore at the moment so unable to do any hands on diagnostics.
Please see attached codes from the GAP tool (although it seems my wife has missed a page from the codes for the instrument pack)
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
When did you last put a fuel filter on it? P2290 is usually low fuel pressure, that one does look suspicious.
Could be alternator but there's usually a whole host of electrical side faults recorded too which you don't really have. I'd still stick a multimeter across the battery and see what reading you get with the engine running. Mods:
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Ok I have a filter ready to fit just havent got round to it yet.
My mate had a look and took voltage measurements last night, also found one of the sidelight/brakelight bulbs had blown on the sidelight circuit.
12.22 before starting
14.15 once started
21st May 2019 6:47 am
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26699
The bulb is a very strong possibility that it’s the cause of the issue. It’s when the broken filament touches the other filament that it causes electronic storms on the car!
Its crazy to think that a bulb could cause issues bad enough to require recovered! My wife has no confidence in the car now, but at least she knows how to clear the codes with the GAP tool to allow her to to get the car home again.
I'm still pretty convinced the alternator is on its way out as the running voltage has been dropping over the last few months and never ever reaches anywhere near 15volts lucky if it hits early 14's
Martin
21st May 2019 10:37 am
Grumpydog
Member Since: 10 Apr 2019
Location: Medway/ Mos Eisley
Posts: 151
Alternator shouldn't go above 14.4 volts ideally. If it's getting to 15 it could be overcharging the battery and causing havoc with the delicate ECUs in the vehicle. Any less than 13 volts and it will struggle to keep up with demands from the electrical system.
Running with no loads it should be 14.4, with loads it shouldn't drop below 14, 13.5 at the very least. At work we have a Midtronics which can test the whole system including how many amps the starter is drawing. If you can find someone locally it may be worth having the whole system checked.2004 Disco 3 HSE TDV6
2015 Audi Q5 S Line plus
2008 Audi A4 Avant S Line Black Edition. Gone
2005 Chrysler Grand Voyger. Gone
21st May 2019 1:39 pm
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
Sorry grumpy dog but that's just not accurate info.
Discovery alternator will often push out 15.1v especially at initial startup and especially during colder months. Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
The 1st Ever RRS Modded Grill
Garmin Nuvi + D4 Surround + Reversing Camera.
D4 Steering Wheel.
Rear Boot Spoiler.
Twin Brake Lights.
Wing Mirror Indicator Repeaters.
Long Roof Rails
Make your own Narpy grill thread
I'm not scared, I'm outta here.
21st May 2019 1:46 pm
Grumpydog
Member Since: 10 Apr 2019
Location: Medway/ Mos Eisley
Posts: 151
Well that's 20+ years of professional spannering down the drain then!
I still think 15 volts is too much, it's a 12 volt system but if that's what LR have designed it at then so be it (every other vehicle I have worked on uses the 14.4 volt principle which is also what I was taught during my apprenticeship, admittedly a while ago now ). Mind you I'm on my first Disco which I bought as a box of parts and am having great fun trying to put it all back together.2004 Disco 3 HSE TDV6
2015 Audi Q5 S Line plus
2008 Audi A4 Avant S Line Black Edition. Gone
2005 Chrysler Grand Voyger. Gone
My Dad is of the same opinion, he is adamant that it should never be as high as 15 volts.
But there's a few posts on the forum that states that it is around 15 volts
Martin
21st May 2019 5:38 pm
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
These are very power hungry beasties. Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
The 1st Ever RRS Modded Grill
Garmin Nuvi + D4 Surround + Reversing Camera.
D4 Steering Wheel.
Rear Boot Spoiler.
Twin Brake Lights.
Wing Mirror Indicator Repeaters.
Long Roof Rails
Make your own Narpy grill thread
I'm not scared, I'm outta here.
21st May 2019 5:41 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26699
Mine will go to about 15.5 v on a cold morning, just after startup. Settles when warm to anywhere between 14.0 and 14.8, depending on temperature and demand.
D4 has smart charging, so can seem odd when compared to older vehicles. If I saw 15v on my Series 2a (with alternator upgrade) then yes I would say something is wrong.
21st May 2019 5:51 pm
Oswiperus D3 Decade
Member Since: 02 Apr 2010
Location: Chelmsford, Essex
Posts: 1590
Yes D3 Can charge as high as 15.5V, usually only that high on a winters morning after 30 mins of FBH running however around 15V or just under on start up is quite normal.Stu
2016 D4 Landmark current
2022 Defender D300 SE Gone
D4 2014 XS Commercial - Gone
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D3 2005 se java black - current
D3 2005 base manual - gone
D2 1999 TD5 E white - current
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). Mind you I'm on my first Disco which I bought as a box of parts and am having great fun trying to put it all back together.
